Questions
The channel, the vote, sending your game, and working together.
The channel
What is Arcade Mate?
A chess channel that recreates famous games move by move as 1980s arcade fighting games: VS screens, health bars, super-move cutscenes and a K.O. on checkmate.
Are the games and the moves real?
Yes. Every move shown is the move that was played. Each game is checked against the sources and an engine, and its page lists what the checks found, including the famous stories that did not hold up.
Where can I watch the videos?
On YouTube, as Shorts, and on TikTok. Every game also has its own page here with the video, the story, the key moments and the full PGN.
How often do new videos come out?
Regularly, as Shorts and quick clips. One of them each round is the famous game that won the vote.
Who makes the music, the voices and the pixel art?
They are made for the channel: every fight has its own score, its own announcer calls and its own cutscenes. Musicians, artists and voice actors can join in for credit.
Can I download the games?
Yes. Every game page has the full PGN to copy or download, ready for any chess program.
The vote
How does the vote work?
A round runs for a week, Monday to Monday. Each person has one vote per round, and the famous game with the most votes becomes the next video.
Can I change my vote?
Yes. Pick another game and press the key again until the round closes.
When does the winning game come out?
About a week after the round closes.
Can I suggest a game that is not on the ballot?
The ballot is for famous games. For a game you played yourself, use Send your game; for another famous game, message the channel on X.
How do you stop fake votes?
A spam check runs on every vote, and the site keeps a coded tag of your connection so it can count one vote per person. Your IP address itself is never stored.
Send your game
What kind of games get picked?
Games with a story: a sacrifice, a mating attack, a king walk, a comeback, a trap that works. A short, sharp game is fine.
Do I need a chess.com or Lichess account?
No. Paste the PGN of the game, or the link to it on Lichess.
Will I be credited?
Yes. If your game is picked, your handle is on the VS screen and in the video description.
Will I be paid?
No. Sending a game is free and featuring it is unpaid: you get the credit.
How will I know if my game is chosen?
If you leave an email address, you get one message when your game goes live. Without one, watch the channel.
Working together
Is a collaboration paid?
No. Collaborations are unpaid: your name goes in the video and in its description.
Who can collaborate?
Musicians, pixel artists and animators, voice actors, sound designers, translators, and chess creators and streamers with a game worth a fight.
How do I get in touch?
Message the channel on X: say what you make and link one thing you made.
Something else? Ask on X, or read how the site handles your data.